Should parents be their kids friend?

Answer 1

Yes, they can. But it is up to the parents and the children to decide if they want to do that. The addition of the dimension of friendship to the already existing relationship of parent and child gathers to the individuals who have chosen this a richness that can only strengthen the bonds they share. However, it does depend on how one defines 'Friend.' If being a 'friend' includes being equal, then the answer is actually 'no.' This is due to the difference in maturity levels, wisdom gained through life experiences and responsibility.

A parent has to be able to have authority over a child at times. However, one can maintain a healthy and close bond with his/her offspring that can come close to being a friendship as the child grows and matures. The relationship between a child and parent is a vertical one, if it becomes a horizontal relationship, then a parent typically loses the influence to exert authority over a child. This is a requisite for being a friend, where neither has authority over the other.

In adulthood, the parent is not equal to the adult child simply due to life experiences as a result of living longer and being exposed to the world around them more. What can happen is the parent lets the maturing adult child take over more and more responsibility of his or her life to the point where the relationship is less authoritative and more associated with being and looking like a friendship, but the vertical relationship still exists no matter how one chooses to redefine the definition of a friend and parenting.

Answer 2

In My personal opinion parents should not have a say in who their kids are friends with. If who they are friends with get them in trouble they have to deal with the consquences. Trust that your child would choose their company wisely.

Answer 3

Yes,I think so.

But it may be difficuclt to found in China now,because most of our parents treat their children as a private possession,they think they have the right to determine what subject for their children to learn,and what carrer to work for their children,..etc they just interfere their children 's life too much but without treating their children as individuals with minds of their own.Since our parents change this athourity attitude to build a healty friendship with their children,we can see more and more happy families.

Answer 4

In my personal opinion this is fine in some situations if you want to encourage your children to talk to you about their problems ect being a friend will probably help this as you would be talking to them as an equal. But when you are disaplining them and similar situations this is not a good idea as they will think your a pushover and will therefore never learn and be a brat.

Answer 5

No